The illustration refers to the Georgian tradition of celebrating the Old New Year, also known as the Orthodox New Year, which falls according to the Julian calendar. In Guria the Old New Year is called Kalanda, and this illustration depicts the traditional celebratory rituals. The mekvle, the first guest to enter the house on New Year’s Eve, extends well wishes for the family that are believed to set the tone for the next year. Also, according to this tradition, guests bring sweets and other festive dishes to the family. Here the mekvle is shown entering the house bearing a chichilaki, a traditional Georgian Christmas tree made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches. 

However, in this illustration the guests bring a whip on a plate instead of the customary sweets and festive dishes, and they look impoverished and aggrieved rather than festive. The verses accompanying the illustration feature a dialogue between the host and a guest, in which the guest announces that they come bearing the constitution, the forces of execution, the Starshina, spies, and a priest who demands dram (tithing) from parishioners. They also bring the Third Duma, hunger, death, disease, and so on. Thus the illustration offers an ironic take on the grim political situation of the country.

Image: The National Parliamentary Library of Georgia